MBA in Business Administration

The Master of Business Administration program is designed for students who wish to advance their careers and contribute to their companies. Partnering with the business community, the program emphasizes the skills needed to inform and guide organizational change. Students in the program develop cross-functional business solutions to "real world" problems, and cultivate a broad critical perspective, interpersonal skills, and the analytical tools of management. The program also emphasizes an appreciation of the international and ethical contexts of professional practice. Students are encouraged to apply to the program regardless of their undergraduate academic specialization.

The MBA program is designed for part-time, working professionals; the program also accommodates those students wishing to pursue full-time study. Evening classes and summer course offerings make it possible for students to tailor the program to meet their individual needs.

The MBA program is comprised of 30 credit hours of core courses and 9 credit hours of elective courses. In addition, up to 15 credit hours of foundation courses may be required depending on a student's previous academic background.

We are accredited by AACSB, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB International assures quality and promotes excellence and continuous improvement in undergraduate and graduate education for business administration and accounting. AACSB accreditation is the mark of quality distinction most widely sought after by business schools -- less than 5% worldwide have earned the achievement.

Located in an area of robust business activity, the School of Business emphasizes partnership with the business community and non-profit organizations. Examples include internships, projects with local businesses, business executives as guest teachers, and business-sponsored research, all with the objective of exposing our students to the "real world" of business.

Requirements

The master of business administration program at the University of Southern Maine is composed of thirty credit hours of core courses and nine credit hours of elective or concentration courses. In addition, up to fifteen credit hours of foundation courses may be required depending on the student's previous academic background.

Orientation

All admitted students are required to participate in the orientation session during the first year of enrollment. The orientation session is held in the fall semester. The session is geared toward developing a sense of community and enhanced communications and trust among the M.B.A. students and faculty. Information on the orientation session will be provided. There is a mandatory fee assessed once for this orientation.

MBA Grade Policy

All graduate courses numbered MBA 610 or higher must be completed with a minimum grade of C (2.0) in order to carry graduate degree credit. If a student receives a grade below C (2.0) in a required graduate course, the student must repeat the course and has only one opportunity to raise the grade for that course to C (2.0) or higher. A student receiving two grades below C (2.0) will be dismissed from the program.

Foundation Courses (0-15 credits)

M.B.A. courses numbered below MBA 610 are not applicable toward the thirty-nine credits needed for graduation. Admitted students whose educational background is lacking the foundation courses are required to satisfactorily complete each of these courses or their equivalents as stipulated in their letter of admission.

Grades earned in M.B.A.-level foundation courses are included in the student's grade point average. Any foundation courses in which a student earns less than a C grade (2.0) must be repeated.

Faculty strongly recommend that students, who do not have a solid recollection of foundation course content, retake or, at a minimum, review content material independently prior to enrolling in core courses. Students may consult the School of Business web site or faculty for information on course content.

A minimum grade of C (2.0) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or successful completion of an equivalent CLEP exam or departmental exam (if available) is needed to meet a foundation course requirement. Coursework from non-accredited institutions will be evaluated on an individual basis. After admission students needing foundation courses are expected to enroll in the graduate courses to meet the requirement. In extenuating circumstances a student may petition the director for permission to enroll in undergraduate equivalent courses to meet M.B.A.-level foundation course requirements. Any undergraduate courses taken will not be included in the computation of the student's graduate grade point average.

Computer application skills

All students are expected to have basic computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet usage, either through prior experience or education. Students lacking in computer application skills are responsible for seeking coursework that will fulfill these expectations.

Core Courses (30 credits)

Credits

Alpha Course

3

MBA 611 Introduction to Organizational Change

Accounting (choose one)

3

ACC 630 Management Accounting Systems

MBA 631 Financial Accounting

Ethical and Legal Issues

3

MBA 615 Ethical and Legal Issues in Business

Finance (choose one)

3

MBA 623 Derivatives

MBA 625 International Finance (may not double count inInternational)

MBA 626 Strategic Valuation

MBA 627 Investment Management

MBA 629 Financial Modeling

Information Systems

3

MBA 674 Topics in Information Systems Management

International (choose one)

3

MBA 612 Topics in International Business

MBA 625 International Finance (may not double count in Finance)

Marketing

3

MBA 660 Managerial Marketing

Management Science

3

MBA 670 Management Science

Operations Analysis (choose one)

3

MBA 672 Supply Chain Management

MBA 675 Production/Operations Management

Capstone

3

MBA 698 Practicum

Electives (9 credits; choose three)

9

Courses used to fulfill core requirements above may not be used to fulfill elective choices. Students may elect a concentration in oneof four areas: accounting, finance, health management and policy, orsustainability. Please refer to the concentration areas below for specific course requirements. Student preferring not to concentrate may select elective courses from the following list.

ACC 630 Management Accounting Systems

ACC 631 Current Issues in Accounting

ACC 633 Tax Policy and Administration

ACC 634 Advanced Business Taxation

ACC 635 Advanced Individual Taxation

ACC 641 Advanced Financial Accounting Topics

MBA 612 International Business

MBA 623 Derivatives

MBA 625 International Finance

MBA 626 Strategic Valuation

MBA 627 Investment Management

MBA 629 Financial Modeling

MBA 631 Financial Accounting

MBA 642 Leadership

MBA 643 Creative Problem Solving

MBA 644 Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation

MBA 646 Negotiation and Conflict Management

MBA 647 Organizational Strategy

MBA 649 Special Topics in Management: Introduction to System Dynamics

MBA 657 Socially Responsible Business and Marketing

MBA 665 Consumer Behavior

MBA 669 Advanced Marketing Research

MBA 672 Supply Chain Management

MBA 675 Production Operations Management

MBA 677 Information Visualization

MBA 691 Independent Study

MBA 695 Internship

MBA 699 Special Topics - Data Analytics

Accounting Concentration

The scope of services performed by accountants is continually broadening as business activities become more complex. The USM MBA with an accounting concentration provides a means to obtain an expanded foundation of core business concepts with a self-selected deepening of accounting knowledge.

The accounting concentration is intended for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in accounting or equivalent accounting coursework, such as in our Certificate of Study in Accounting program. (See undergraduate catalog for details.)

To be admitted to the accounting concentration, a student must successfully complete the following University of Southern Maine undergraduate accounting courses or their equivalent, including any prerequisite courses: ACC 301 Financial Reporting I ACC 302 Financial Reporting II ACC 329 Accounting Information Systems ACC 410 Auditing and Assurance ACC 413 Concepts and Strategies of Taxation

In order to fulfill the Accounting Concentration and develop a deeper knowledge in accounting, in lieu of general electives, a student will choose three accounting coursers from the list which follows:

Finance Concentration

The finance concentration offers advanced financial training to professionals who want to specialize in the field of finance. Students choose concentration courses from the areas of financial modeling, investments, international finance, valuation or current issues. The finance concentration focuses on the application of financial tools to real world problems, technical competence in the various functions of finance, and professional responsibility and ethics.

All MBA students are required to take at least one 600-level MBA finance course. Students are able to earn a concentration in finance by taking three additional 600-level MBA finance courses. MBA 623 Derivatives MBA 625 International Finance MBA 626 Strategic Valuation MBA 627 Investment Management MBA 629 Financial Modeling MBA 699 Special Topics in Finance *MBA 691 Independent Study in Finance *MBA 695 Internship in Finance*Students may select either MBA 691 or 695, but not both.

Health Management and Policy Concentration

Health management is a growing field in Maine and elsewhere. The concentration in Health Management and Policy provides MBA students with a broad understanding of the American health care system, the public and private financing structures attendant to the massive investment in this sector, the policy and social context of health and healthcare, and the challenges and opportunities awaiting those working in or preparing for careers in the health field. Please see course descriptions in the Muskie School of Public Service section of this catalog.

Sustainability Concentration

Sustainability in business acknowledges the value of managing financial, environmental, and social performance to achieve resiliency and provide long term returns to investors. Students select from a variety of courses offered within the School of Business and through course offerings at the Muskie School of Public Service (Community Planning and Development), the University of the Maine School of Law and the University of Maine Business School.